Filter assembly for an appliance

ABSTRACT

A water filter assembly is provided including a body defining a body cavity, a spool slidably positioned in the body cavity, and a filter cartridge. Once the filter cartridge is inserted into the spool cavity and body cavity, the filter cartridge is configured to filter water from an inlet of the body. Additionally, the filter cartridge includes a nozzle for providing such filtered water to an outlet of the body. The nozzle includes an outlet directed back towards the filter medium such that the filter cartridge is pressed into the spool cavity and body cavity when water flows therethrough.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to a water filter assemblyfor an appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various consumer appliances utilize water from unfiltered water sources,including municipal water supplies. For example, refrigerators utilizewater in the formation ice and in water dispensing operations.Additionally, single serve beverage dispenser appliances, includingcoffee maker appliances, utilize water for brewing and mixingoperations. It is generally desirable to ensure that water for thesevarious appliances is free from contaminants and other debris. Tofurther this desire, water filter assemblies may be used in conjunctionwith these various appliances to provide filtered water.

Such water filter assemblies are typically integrated into the applianceand may include one or more layers of fine mesh to provide the desiredfiltering. Alternatively, the filter assemblies can be positioned in thefluid line leading to such appliance. However, such filter assembliescan be difficult to maintain. For example, after a certain amount of useand/or after a certain amount of time, it is generally necessary toreplace or clean a filter medium of the filter assembly in order toensure a desired amount of filtering takes place. Replacing the filtermedium may be a relatively laborious activity, and may require arelatively large amount of care to be taken to ensure the replacementfilter medium is properly installed. For example, certain filter mediumsmust be installed in a precise location and/or orientation to functionproperly. Additionally, in certain water filter assemblies, a relativelylarge amount of water pressure can build up, such that when the filtermedium is removed during replacement, the filter medium is ejected at arelatively high velocity.

Accordingly, a water filter assembly with features allowing for agreater ease of installation would be useful. More particularly, a waterfilter assembly with features reducing a velocity at which a filtermedium is ejected during removal/replacement would be particularlybeneficial.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be apparent from the description, or maybe learned through practice of the invention.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a water filter assembly defining anaxial ceterline is provided. The water filter assembly includes a bodydefining a body inlet for receiving unfiltered water, a body outlet, anda body cavity extending along the axial centerline between a first endand a second end. The water filter assembly also includes a spooldefining a spool cavity, the spool slidably positioned in the bodycavity along the axial centerline between a first position and a secondposition. The body inlet is fluidly connected through the spool cavityto the body outlet when the spool is in the first position. The filterassembly also includes a filter cartridge slidably received along theaxial centerline at least partially in the body cavity into an insertedposition. The filter cartridge includes a nozzle for providing filteredwater to the body outlet. The nozzle includes an outlet defining anacute angle with the axial centerline such that the filter cartridge ispressed towards the inserted position when water flows therethrough.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a water filter assembly defining anaxial centerline is provided. The water filter assembly includes a bodydefining a body inlet for receiving unfiltered water, a body outlet, anda body cavity extending along the axial centerline between a first endand a second end. The water filter assembly also includes a spooldefining a spool cavity; the body inlet fluidly connected through thespool cavity to the body outlet. The water filter assembly also includesa filter cartridge including a filter medium and a nozzle, the filtercartridge slidably received in the spool cavity such that the nozzle isat least partially positioned in the spool cavity for providing filteredwater to the body outlet through the spool. The nozzle includes anoutlet directed back towards the filter medium such that the filtercartridge is pressed into the spool cavity when water flowstherethrough.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a water filter assembly accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary waterfilter assembly of FIG. 1, with a filter cartridge installed.

FIG. 3 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary waterfilter assembly of FIG. 1, with the filter cartridge removed.

FIG. 4 provides a close-up, cross-sectional view of a nozzle of thefilter cartridge of the exemplary water filter assembly of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a water filter assembly 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Forthe embodiment of FIG. 1, the water filter assembly 100 is depictedinstalled below a countertop 102 (such as within a cabinet 104 andattached to a back wall 106 of the cabinet 104). However, in otherembodiments, water filter assembly 100 may be positioned at any othersuitable location. As will be understood by those skilled in the art andas used herein, the term “water” includes purified water and solutionsor mixtures containing water and, e.g., elements (such as calcium,chlorine, and fluorine), salts, bacteria, nitrates, organics, and otherchemical compounds or substances.

Water filter assembly 100 includes a body 108 and a water filtercartridge 110 removably attached to body 108 (as will be discussedbelow). Body 108 includes a plurality of mounting brackets 112, eachdefining holes 114. Fasteners (not shown) such as nails, pegs, tabs,screws, or bolts may be inserted through holes 114 to mount water filterassembly 100, e.g., to back wall 106 of kitchen cabinet 104. Mountingbrackets 112 may be formed integrally with body 108, or alternativelymay be separate components attached to body 108 in any suitable manner.Additionally, body 108 may be formed of any suitable material and in anysuitable manner. For example, body 108 may be cast from aluminum orstainless steel, or alternatively may be molded from a suitable plasticmaterial.

Body 108 further defines a body inlet 116 for receiving unfiltered waterand a body outlet 118 for providing filtered water to, e.g., anappliance 120. More particularly, for the embodiment depicted, bodyinlet 116 is fluidly connected to an unfiltered water source 122, suchas a residential or commercial building plumbing system, via a conduit124. From body inlet 116, the unfiltered water is directed into andthrough water filter cartridge 110, emerging as filtered water at bodyoutlet 118. The filtered water then flows from body outlet 118 through aconduit 126 wherein the filtered water may be provided to appliance 120,such as a single serve beverage dispenser appliance, such as acountertop coffeemaker, or alternatively to a refrigerator. In otherembodiments, however, the filtered water may be provided directly to aconsumer water source, such as a sink faucet or other filtered waterdispenser. Additionally, or alternatively, filtered water may beprovided via conduit 126 to one or more other suitable appliances orlocations. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, filter assembly100 may be used in as a point of entry filtration device for an entirebuilding.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, side cross-sectional views are providedof the exemplary water filter assembly 100 of FIG. 1. More particularly,FIG. 2 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary waterfilter assembly 100 of FIG. 1 with a filter cartridge 110 installed. Bycontrast, FIG. 3 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplarywater filter assembly 100 of FIG. 1 with the filter cartridge 110removed.

For the embodiment depicted, water filter assembly 100 generally definesan axial centerline A and a radial direction R. In certain embodiments,the axial centerline may be parallel to a vertical direction. As shown,body 108 of water filter assembly 100, in addition to body inlet 116 andbody outlet 118, also defines a body cavity 128 extending along theaxial centerline A between a first end 130 and a second end 132. Thebody cavity 128 is configured to receive at least a portion of filtercartridge 110 at second end 132 (FIG. 2).

A spool 134 is slidably positioned in the body cavity 128 along theaxial centerline A between a first position, or retracted position (FIG.2), and a second position, or extended position (FIG. 3). For theembodiment depicted, body cavity 128 defines a circular cross-sectionalshape in the radial direction R, and spool 134 also defines acorresponding circular cross-sectional shape in the radial direction R.However, in other embodiments, body cavity 128 and spool 134 mayalternatively define any other cross-sectional shape allowing for spool134 to slide along the axial centerline A between the extended andretracted positions.

Additionally, spool 134 defines a first end 136 and a second end 138along the axial centerline A, and a spool cavity 140 that extendsgenerally between the first and second ends 136, 138 along the axialcenterline A. Moreover, spool 134 defines a spool inlet 142 and a spooloutlet 144. As shown in FIG. 2, when spool 134 is in the retractedposition, body inlet 116 of body 108 is fluidly connected to body outlet118 of body 108 through spool 134. More particularly, when spool 134 isin the retracted position, spool inlet 142 is aligned with body inlet116 and spool outlet 144 is aligned with body outlet 118, and spoolcavity 140 provides for fluid communication between body inlet 116 andbody outlet 118 via spool cavity 140 and filter cartridge 110 (discussedbelow).

By contrast, as is shown in FIG. 3, when spool 134 is in the extendedposition, spool 134 blocks fluid connection between body inlet 116 ofbody 108 and body outlet 118 of body 108. More particularly, when spool134 is in the extended position, spool inlet 142 is misaligned with bodyinlet 116 and spool outlet 144 is misaligned with body outlet 118.Notably, for the embodiment depicted, spool inlet 142 and spool outlet144 include a plurality of cross-drilled holes. Such a configuration mayallow spool inlet 142 to align with body inlet 116 and spool outlet 144to align with body outlet 118 when spool 134 is in the retractedposition regardless of an angular orientation of spool 134 about theaxial centerline A relative to body 108 (i.e., a circumferentialposition of the spool 134 about the axial centerline A relative to thebody 108).

For the exemplary embodiment depicted, spool 134 is biased towards theextended position. More particularly, exemplary water filter assembly100 of FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a spring 146 positioned in body cavity 128at first end 130 of body cavity 128. Spring 146 is positioned in anupper chamber 148 of body cavity 128 and extends along body cavity 128between body 108 and first end 136 of spool 134. Moreover, as isdepicted, spring 146 contacts first end 136 of spool 134 and biasesspool 134 towards the extended position. Notably, body 108 furtherdefines a bypass passage 150 extending between upper chamber 148 of bodycavity 128 and body outlet 118. Bypass passage 150 allows for insertionof filter cartridge 110 and for moving of spool 134 from the secondposition to the first position with less hydraulic resistance (i.e.,bypass passage 150 allows water in upper chamber 148 to escape to bodyoutlet 118). Although bypass passage 150 is depicted extending all theway through body 108 with plugs 152 provided to seal bypass passage 150,such a configuration is simply for ease of manufacture. In otherembodiments, bypass passage 150 may extend only between upper chamber148 of body cavity 128 and body outlet 118.

Moreover, filter assembly 100 additionally includes a pin 154 attachedto body 108 and extending along the axial centerline A. Pin 154 extendsalong body cavity 128 from first end 130 of body cavity 128 to andthrough first end 136 of spool 134 into spool cavity 140. Moreover, pin154 includes a head 156 at a distal end positioned within spool cavity140. Head 156 of pin 154 is configured to prevent the spool 134 fromleaving the body cavity 128. More particularly, a length of pin 154 andpositioning of head 156 within spool cavity 140 defines an amount oftravel allowed for spool 134 within the body cavity 128 and sets thelocation of spool 134 when spool 134 is in the extended position.

A plurality of seals 158 are also included to assist in providing properfluid connection, or lack thereof, between body inlet 116 and spoolinlet 142 and body outlet 118 and spool outlet 144. More particularly,spool 134 includes a plurality of seals 158 extending around an outersurface 160 of spool 134 at opposing sides along the axial centerline Aof spool inlet 142 and also includes a plurality seals 158 at opposingsides along the axial centerline A of spool outlet 144. For theembodiment depicted, the seals 158 are configured as O-ring sealspositioned in annular indentations in outer surface 160 of spool 134.However, in other embodiments, any other suitable seals may be providedand any other configuration for seals 158 may be provided.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, filter cartridge 110 is slidablyreceived along the axial centerline A at least partially in the bodycavity 128 into an inserted position (pictured in FIG. 2). As depicted,a ledge 162 extending inwardly along the radial direction R from a baseportion 164 of filter cartridge 110 holds the spool 134 in the retractedposition when filter cartridge 110 is in the inserted position (FIG. 2).Further, in addition to base portion 164, filter cartridge 110 alsoincludes a neck 166 and an extension 168. Neck 166 and extension 168 arereceived into body cavity 128 and are also received into spool cavity140. Moreover, neck 166 defines a filter inlet 170, which when filtercartridge 110 is in the inserted position aligns with body inlet 116 andspool inlet 142, such that filter inlet 170 is fluidly connected to bodyinlet 116. Neck seals 174 are included extending circumferentiallyaround neck 166 and positioned in annular grooves of neck 166 onopposing sides of filter inlet 170 along the axial centerline A.Accordingly, neck seals 174 may ensure proper fluid communicationbetween spool inlet 142 and filter inlet 170. Neck seals 174 may beO-ring seals, or alternatively may be any other suitable seal.

From filter inlet 170, unfiltered water may travel into an annular space176 in base portion 164 of filter cartridge 110 and through a filtermedium 178 positioned in base portion 164 of filter cartridge 110.Filter medium 178 may be any suitable filter medium 178 for reducingimpurities and/or contaminants in water passing therethrough. Forexample, in certain embodiments, filter medium 178 may include one ormore of activated carbon, one or more stages of fine mesh, and/or anyother suitable material. Such filtering can improve taste and/or reducecontaminants in water and/or remove other compounds as desired by an enduser.

After passing through filter medium 178 (i.e., being “filtered”), watermay travel up a central opening 180 of filter cartridge 110, the centralopening 180 extending through neck 166 and extension 168, to a nozzle171 having a plurality of filter outlets 172 and spool outlet 144.Extension 168 also includes extension seals 181 positioned adjacentfilter outlets 172 of nozzle 171 along the axial centerline A towardsfilter medium 178 to ensure proper fluid communication between filteroutlet 172 and spool outlet 144. Extension seals 181 may be O-ringseals, or alternatively may be any other suitable form of seal. Fromspool outlet 144, such filtered water is provided to body outlet 118,provided filter cartridge 110 is in the inserted position and spool 134is in the first position.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, as well as briefly to FIG. 4,providing a close-up view of the exemplary nozzle 171 of FIG. 2, theplurality of filter outlets 172 define an acute angle with the axialcenterline A. More particularly, the plurality of filter outlets 172define an acute angle with the axial centerline A as viewed along theaxial centerline A from the filter medium 178. Accordingly, theplurality of filter outlets 172 depicted are directed back towards thefilter medium 178. Such a configuration may ensure the filter cartridge110 is pressed into body cavity 128 and spool cavity 140 when waterflows therethrough. More particularly, an amount of thrust T isgenerated in a direction in which water flows through the plurality ofoutlets 172, which given the orientation of the outlets 172, means thatthe amount of thrust T generated by water flowing through the outlets172 presses the filter cartridge 110 into the spool cavity 140 and bodycavity 128. Such a configuration may reduce a velocity at which thefilter cartridge is ejected during removal/replacement of the filtercartridge 110.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, filter assembly 100 further includes alocking mechanism 182 positioned at second end 130 of body cavity 128configured to hold filter cartridge 110 in the inserted position (andthus hold spool 134 in the retracted position). For the embodimentdepicted, locking mechanism 182 includes one or more locking members 184extending through the respective openings 186 in body 108 and movablegenerally along the radial direction R between a radially inner lockedposition (FIG. 2) and a radially outer unlocked position (FIG. 3).Moreover, as is depicted, filter cartridge 110 defines an annularindentation 188 in an outer surface 190 of base portion 164 of filtercartridge 110. The one or more locking members 184 are configured toextend at least partially into the annular indentation 188 of filtercartridge 110 when filter cartridge 110 is in the inserted position andthe one or more locking members 184 are in the inner locked position.Such a configuration may hold filter cartridge 110 in the insertedposition during, e.g., operation of filter assembly 100.

Moreover, locking mechanism 182 also includes a sleeve 192 slidablealong the body 108 between a forward position (FIG. 2) and a rearposition (FIG. 3). Sleeve 192 extends around the one or more lockingmembers 184 and includes a ramp/locking surface 194 having a closetolerance with outer surface 190 along the radial direction R. Surface194 of sleeve 192 is configured to press the one or more locking members184 inwardly along the radial direction R when sleeve 192 is in theforward position. More particularly, sleeve 192 is configured to holdthe one or more locking members 184 in the inner locked position whensleeve 192 is in the forward position. By contrast, however, when sleeve192 is in the rear position, the one or more locking members 184 maymove radially outwardly into an annular chamber 196 defined by sleeve192 such that filter cartridge 110 may be moved along the axialcenterline A out of body cavity 128 of body 108.

For the embodiment depicted, the one or more locking members 184 areretaining balls extending through the respective openings 186 in body108. However, in other embodiments, the one or more locking members 184may have any other suitable shape for moving between the inner lockedposition and the outer unlocked position.

Moreover, the locking mechanism 182 further includes a biasing memberconfigured to bias sleeve 192 towards the forward position. Such aconfiguration may ensure locking mechanism 182 is held in a lockedposition until, e.g., sleeve 192 is manually moved to an unlockedposition by a user. For the embodiment depicted, the biasing member is aspring 198 extending around the body 108 and along the axial centerlineA between a body flange 200 on body 108 and a sleeve flange 202 onsleeve 192. Body flange 200 extends outwardly along the radial directionR and sleeve flange 202 extends inwardly along the radial direction R.However, in other exemplary embodiments, any other suitable biasingmember may be provided, or alternatively, no biasing member may beprovided.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 2, as previously stated, the filtercartridge 110 is shown in the inserted position held in place by lockingmechanism 182. More particularly, filter cartridge 110 is held in theinserted position by the one or more locking members 184 extendingthrough the respective openings in body 108 and at least partially intoannular indentation 188 defined in outer surface 190 of base portion 164of filter cartridge 110. Additionally, sleeve 192 is in the forwardposition (biased in such a position by spring 198) and thus is holdingthe one or more locking members 184 in the inner locked position.

As filter cartridge 110 is in the inserted position, spool 134 is heldin the retracted position (by ledge 162 of filter cartridge 110) andunfiltered water may flow through body inlet 116, into spool inlet 142,and into filter inlet 170. From filter inlet 170, the unfiltered watermay flow down annular space 176 in base portion 164 of filter cartridge110 and into and through filter medium 178. After having been filteredby filter medium 178, such filtered water may flow up through centralopening 180 of filter cartridge 110—extending through neck 166 andextension 168 of filter cartridge 110—to spool outlet 144 and bodyoutlet 118. From body outlet 118, the filtered water may be provided to,e.g., any suitable appliance 120.

By contrast, referring now particularly to FIG. 3, filter assembly 100is depicted with filter cartridge 110 removed. Filter cartridge 110 maybe removed by moving sleeve 192 of locking mechanism 182 to the rearposition. Once in the rear position, spring 146 may press spool 134towards the extended position, moving the one or more locking members184 of locking mechanism 182 to the outer unlocked position andautomatically ejecting the filter cartridge 110. Notably, when spool 134is in the second position, second end 138 of spool 134 contacts the oneor more locking members 184 to maintain the one or more locking members184 in the outer unlocked position. Such a configuration leaves thefilter assembly 100 “cocked” and ready to receive a subsequent filtercartridge 110. More particularly, such configuration maintains the oneor more locking members 184 of locking mechanism 182 in the outerunlocked position such that installation of a subsequent filtercartridge 110 in body 108 does not require manually moving lockingmechanism 182 into an unlocked position, or forcing the one or morelocking members 184 to the outer unlocked position during installation.

Moreover, the configuration of filter assembly 100, or moreparticularly, the configuration of body 108, spool 134, filter cartridge110, and locking mechanism 182 allows for installation of filtercartridge 110 at any angular orientation along axial centerline Arelative to body 108 and/or spool 134 (i.e., filter cartridge 110 may bepositioned at any circumferential position relative to axial centerlineA).

Accordingly, a filter assembly 100 in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure may allow for increased ease ofremoval, installation, and/or reinstallation of one or more filtercartridges 110.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water filter assembly defining an axialceterline, the water filter assembly comprising: a body defining a bodyinlet for receiving unfiltered water, a body outlet, and a body cavityextending along the axial centerline between a first end and a secondend; a spool defining a spool cavity, the spool slidably positioned inthe body cavity along the axial centerline between a first position anda second position, the body inlet fluidly connected through the spoolcavity to the body outlet when the spool is in the first position; afilter cartridge slidably received along the axial centerline at leastpartially in the body cavity into an inserted position and including anozzle for providing filtered water to the body outlet, the nozzleincluding an outlet defining an acute angle with the axial centerlinesuch that the filter cartridge is pressed towards the inserted positionwhen water flows therethrough.
 2. The water filter assembly of claim 1,wherein the nozzle includes a plurality of outlets, each outlet definingan acute angle with the axial centerline.
 3. The water filter assemblyof claim 1, wherein the spool blocks a fluid connection between the bodyinlet and the body outlet when the spool is in the second position. 4.The water filter assembly of claim 1, wherein the filter cartridge holdsthe spool in the first position when the filter cartridge is in theinserted position.
 5. The water filter assembly of claim 1, wherein thespool is biased towards the second position.
 6. The water filterassembly of claim 5, further comprising a spring positioned in the bodycavity adjacent to the first end of the spool to bias the spool towardsthe second position.
 7. The water filter assembly of claim 1, whereinthe spool defines a spool inlet and a spool outlet, wherein when thespool is in the first position the spool inlet is aligned with the bodyinlet and the spool outlet is aligned with the body outlet.
 8. The waterfilter assembly of claim 7, wherein the spool defines a plurality ofseals extending around an outer surface of the spool at opposing sidesalong the axial centerline of the spool inlet and at opposing sidesalong the axial centerline of the spool outlet.
 9. The water filterassembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism positionedaround the second end of the body cavity configured to hold the filtercartridge in the inserted position.
 10. The water filter assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the filter assembly further defines a radial direction,wherein the filter cartridge defines an annular indentation in an outersurface of the filter cartridge, wherein the locking mechanism includesone or more locking members moveable generally along the radialdirection between an inner locked position and an outer unlockedposition, and wherein the one or more locking members extend at leastpartially into the annular indentation of the filter cartridge when thefilter cartridge is in the inserted position and the one or more lockingmembers are in the inner locked position to hold the filter cartridge inthe inserted position.
 11. The water filter assembly of claim 10,wherein the locking mechanism further includes a sleeve slidable alongthe body between a forward position and a rear position, the sleeveconfigured to hold the one or more locking members in the inner lockedposition when the sleeve is in the forward position.
 12. The waterfilter assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism furtherincludes a biasing member configured to bias the sleeve towards theforward position.
 13. The water filter assembly of claim 10, wherein thesecond end of the spool contacts the one or more locking members tomaintain the one or more locking members in the outer unlocked positionwhen the spool is in the second position.
 14. The water filter assemblyof claim 1, wherein the filter assembly further includes a pin attachedto the body and extending along the axial centerline through the firstend of the spool, wherein the pin includes a head at a distal endpositioned within the spool cavity and configured to prevent the spoolfrom leaving the body cavity.
 15. A water filter assembly defining anaxial centerline, the water filter assembly comprising: a body defininga body inlet for receiving unfiltered water, a body outlet, and a bodycavity extending along the axial centerline between a first end and asecond end; a spool defining a spool cavity, the body inlet fluidlyconnected through the spool cavity to the body outlet; and a filtercartridge including a filter medium and a nozzle, the filter cartridgeslidably received in the spool cavity such that the nozzle is at leastpartially positioned in the spool cavity for providing filtered water tothe body outlet through the spool, the nozzle including an outletdirected back towards the filter medium such that the filter cartridgeis pressed into the spool cavity when water flows therethrough.
 16. Thewater filter assembly of claim 15, the nozzle includes a plurality ofoutlets, each outlet directed back towards the filter medium.
 17. Thewater filter assembly of claim 15, wherein the spool is slidablypositioned in the body cavity along the axial centerline between a firstposition and a second position, wherein the body inlet is fluidlyconnected through the spool cavity to the body outlet when the spool isin the first position, and wherein the filter cartridge holds the spoolin the first position when the filter cartridge is in the insertedposition.
 18. The water filter assembly of claim 17, wherein the spooldefines a spool inlet and a spool outlet, wherein when the spool is inthe first position the spool inlet is aligned with the body inlet andthe spool outlet is aligned with the body outlet.
 19. The water filterassembly of claim 15, further comprising a locking mechanism positionedaround the second end of the body cavity configured to hold the filtercartridge in an inserted position.
 20. The water filter assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the filter assembly further includes a pin attached tothe body and extending along the axial centerline through the first endof the spool, wherein the pin includes a head at a distal end positionedwithin the spool cavity and configured to prevent the spool from leavingthe body cavity.